Any ideas on this object?

[Hawkins]

I found this canister while bottle hunting, at first I thought it was some kind of relief value for a radiator. But there isn't any other connections but a tiny little hole on the bottom of a screw knob. Then I thought it could be an old gas grenade. . .lol just open valve and throw lol. No words . . .
Somebody probably seen one of these but I never did. Any thoughts?

 

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[Lanny in AB]

The little hole in the end looks like it might be the outlet for a pressure relief valve. Perhaps a self-contained pressurized cylinder of some kind?

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

 

[Hawkins]

Hey Lanny, Yea thats what I thought, looks like that nib could connect to another line, but thats the only hole on the thing, somebody probably has an answer. My Son said he saw one in a old thrift store yesterday and he asked the owner what it was. . .he said he didn't know and opened the knob up to his nose. . . my son said something spewed out and the owner went. . . ppppeeeeewwww!!! Oh well, he didn't drop over. lol

 

[Tonto]

I think it is an acetylene lamp/torch that is hand held instead of being attached to a miner's helmet. The valve is to regulate the amount of gas which will burn brighter or not, depending on how much escapes. On the other end of it, there is a cap. I think it should unscrew so that dry pellets of carbide can be placed in the canister. When water is added, acetylene gas is produced, and can be burned. But, I could be wrong....that's what it looks like to me, though.

 

[Indian Steve]

Hi, I am pretty sure that you have a small fire extinguisher. Search vintage motorcycle fire extinguisher and see what you come up with. I think the brand was Pyreen.

 

[Indian Steve]

Check "Vintage BOAT MOTORCYCLE SAFETY BRASS MINI FIRE EXTINGUISHER PRESTO 5 1/2" CB" on Ebay

 

[Hawkins]

Hey Tonto, Thanks for the reply, that might be it. . . I am in PA coal country and that might be it. I have seen those old lamps on the hats, maybe they put something in the canister, I tried to open the end but it doesn't screw off. I'm gonna check ebay and see if its what steve said it might be. Thanks for the leads.

 

[Hawkins]

Indian Steve. . .Thanks Man thats it. . .I checked out ebay and they had it on the site and the label was Presto. . . a cool little fire extinguisher! Live and Learn! Thanx again.